movies

Plan 9 from Outer Space

From IMDb: "Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?" That's the question on the lips of the narrator of this tale about flying saucers, zombies and cardboard tombstones. A pair of aliens, angered by the "stupid minds" of planet Earth, set up shop in a California cemetery. Their plan: to animate an army of the dead to march on the capitals of the world. (The fact that they have only managed to resurrect three zombies to date has not discouraged them.) An intrepid airline pilot living near the cemetery must rescue his wife from this low-budget terror. "Can you prove it *didn't* happen?"

Stars: Tor Johnson, Vampira, Tom Keene, and Gregory Walcott

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

From Video-Cellar: This film is in the public domain. “Grave Robbers From Outer Space” was originally published in the USA in 1959. The film was not immediately registered for copyright. It was registered by it's producer “Reynolds Pictures Inc.” in 1981 (PA0000102338).
The film's copyright was renewed in 1986 by Wade Williams 3 (RE0000279707). In 1981, Williams lodged a quitclaim from Kathy Wood (Edward D. Wood Jr.'s second wife [1956-his death] and heir. USCO doc. no. V1831P045) and separate quitclaims of interest from Norma McCarty (Edward D. Wood Jr.'s first wife - falsely listed on the filing as “Mrs. Edward D. Wood, Jr., successor of all rights to the Estate of Edward D. Wood, Jr.”, which she was not, as their marriage had been annulled) - and Reynolds Pictures, Inc.This renewal was legally invalid for these reasons:
1) The registration and renewals were lodged providing the incorrect title on screen, date-in-notice and publication date for the original publication.
2) In order for a successor in interest to renew a copyright they have to demonstrate that they own the copyright through a valid transfer of rights from the party owning the copyright at or immediately before the renewal window. None of the parties Mr. Williams sought quitclaims from were valid owners of copyright immediately prior to the renewal window. Valid copyright successors for this film “James Flocker Enterprises Inc.”, “Gold Key Video”, "Vidtronics Inc.”, and “Medallion Pictures”, all companies who are successors in the chain of ownership post registration, are not present in Williams' quitclaims. Williams has, instead, provided the USCO with a series of meaningless assignments from parties which no longer held any copyright interest in the work in order to demonstrate “ownership” of the intellectual property in the film.
The screenplay was further registered as an unpublished work in 1989 (Pau001211635). This again is rendered legally invalid by the mere fact that large portions of the screenplay were previously published as part of the registered motion picture for which no valid copyright renewal exists.

A masterpiece of mysterious shenanigans plotted to drive you mad. Remember to use stock footage. Pity the flying wing didn't make an appearance. It would have been much better if Bella had survived . Most enjoyable.

EXCELLENT FILM.
I REALLY CAN'T BE BOTHERED REITERATING WHAT WAS DELETED..
SAFE TO SAY THE PRICKS ARE NOW THE UNDERBELLY WE ONCED LOVE.
LOVE THESE MOVIES. BIG THUMBS UP BUT NO MORE THAN THAT.
TEDIOUS TO KEEP HARPING ON ABOUT THIS...

It's a good bet that each of those ships has a supply of barf bags and all the furniture must be nailed down and they better not have chairs on wheels. Aside from the gyroscopic nightmare, if you want to see a good bad movie, this is it. This is one proof of many that some people would do anything to be on film.

Reviewer:drewhoffmanpoet
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June 19, 2015 Subject:
You Know You Like It.

I think this is the Second worst movie ever made, it was first untill "pootie tang" Thx

Reviewer:bobdobb0756
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April 19, 2013 Subject:
You may laugh at this film...

..but it is obvious you are echoing a nervous laugh. For all of you who can't accept the shocking fact of actual alien grave robbers, I laugh at you. I hope you all have your favorite loved ones' graves robbed, and then we shall see how long the smile remains on your face. This is one of the most important documentaries of all time.

Reviewer:jwjb
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February 9, 2013 Subject:
A Classic for the Ages

Great B movie with the charm and innocence of those bygone and endearing movies from that time that leaves you feeling good about watching something that transported you to another time leaving all your troubles behind.

My Mother is Norma E. McCarty, and her marriage to Ed was never annulled.
His marriage to Kathy wasn't legal. My Mother never pursued it because she felt sorry for Kathy, she and Ed were quite the drinkers.
Ed was always good to me, and considered me his son. He also told me that he and my Mother were never divorced, or annulled, their marriage certificate still exists, you can send for a copy.
All you have to do to prove me wrong is print a copy of any legal paper showing an annulment, between Ed and Norma, it doesn't exist.
My Mother should know if her marriage was annulled or not.
Please show any proof.
Thank you,
Michael McCarty

Edward D. Woods the consummate optimist. Actually. Hired on the two gravediggers in this light-headed sci-fi horror comedy to get them to fund this classic. You have to see it to appreciate it. Reknowned as one of the best "worst" films.ofall.time! Ask Johnny Depp he was so impressed by the writer-producer-director he and Tim Burton did a film on its creation "Ed Wood"! Check it out tonight... if you dare!

I saw this film after seeing the movie staring Johnny Depp as Ed Wood. An entertaining film if viewed through the mental set of low budget horror movies. The role of the colonel was played by former B western actor Tom Keene. The part of the General was played by Lyle Talbot who was still very active in supporting roles in television.

I think this is one of the best films as far as a cult films go. Ed Wood was a genius who lacked funds to make his movies.If he had a major studio behind him I think this movie would have been an academy award film for best picture.

Please. This is the favorite bad movie of people who know little about bad movies. "Plan 9" is more like a home movie, and not a very good one at that. For a better example of an amateur film gone commercial, and really earning its cult status, watch "Teenagers From Outer Space" instead.

There is a base requirement of lucidity and coherency for a film to be watchable, and "Plan 9" never comes within striking distance. Ed Wood made better films than this. I'd rather watch "The Sinister Urge" with subtitles than sit through "Plan 9" again.

I have always heard this is a spectacularly bad movie. It's just ineptly made. One or two actors show a little enthusiasm-- it seems like no one else cared. There is a difference between low budget and low effort. Where is the spectacular?

There are so many gems in the archive: this is a waste of time.
If you want campy check out any 50s scifi drive in movie.

Reviewer:dreibel50
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October 24, 2010 Subject:
STILL considered the worst......

The Toronto Star recently did a poll of their readership in which they asked what the worst movie they'd ever seen was - and despite the fact that many, many worse movies have come since (I'm looking at YOU, "Battlefield Earth"! And "Showgirls"! And "Batman And Robin"!) this one was brought up as the worst by a wide margin. The thing about this movie is that those who've seen it either hate it thoroughly or love it to death as a camp classic. I'm in the latter camp - ineptly made, but with a charm that showed that Ed Wood really, really believed in this movie. Many quotable quips by actors who were trying hard (Dudley Manlove was a frustrated radio announcer who really wanted to break in pictures) and some iconic appearances by Tor Johnson, Criswell and Vampira. Sadly Bela's last movie.

Reviewer:spooky24
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July 1, 2010 Subject:
Just a stupid movie-that is all it is

I really fail to see what anyone brings away from this junk other than disgust. I can't understand the raving about this film. You can't count on the reviews posted here because some reviewers think that horrible movies are funny or something. Don't waste a disc on this reguardless of what anyone writes about it.

Now that I've seen the trailer, this seems to be yet another "Dawn/Day/Night/Teatime of the Living Dead" slasher flick of people fighting Zombies.
Lame.

The orignal Plan 9 is cool. Wade Williams sux!

Reviewer:
cosmico -
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May 15, 2010 Subject:
"Remake"

I've read up on this Plan 9 remake project and have seen the trailer online. It clearly expresses NONE of the simple charm or fun of the Ed Wood original. To remake PLAN 9 is either sheer stupidity, or more likely, just another example of someone trading off the reputation of a much-beloved film from a time long gone, and a filmmaker long-dead. A remake of Plan 9 is a very cynical, unnecessary effort and a cheap shot if you ask me.

As for this "Mr. Lobo" character, I've seen him online as well. Having met and talked to Criswell 40 years ago, I can only state, "Mr. Lobo: you're NO Criswell."

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Ed Wood's PLAN 9, for all its awkward silly nonsense, it is delightfully entertaining and great late-night viewing. Not my personal favorite Ed Wood film, but it's certainly his most famous and easiest to enjoy whether you are laughing or scratching your head. It is without a doubt the film that made the man famous, many years beyond his 1978 passing at the age of 54.

Don't want to turn this into a forum (or a commercial), but I've seen the trailer. The remake will be in color, apparently has a relatively decent budget, and promises to stay true to Ed Wood's intentions.

I imagine it will be the movie that Ed *might have* made if he'd had sufficient resources. Or talent.

The Remark of another reviewer that somebody plans to remake this movie drives me to say: DONT DO IT!!!! You cannot in any way be so good!!!

Having heard about "Plan 9" long ago and having seen "Ed Wood" I believed to be prepared for Plan 9, but I wasn´t! Best bad movie ever? Yes, that´s true. The charming combination of cheesy special effects, cheap sets, acting inabilities makes me love this movie.

Favorite super-science device: the "dictorobotary." Favorite new super element: "solarminite." (Kryptonite, eat your heart out!) Favorite line: “All you of Earth are idiots!” Far from being the worst movie ever made, “Plan 9” might be the most charmingly bad movie of all time. Many including me certainly think it is. Watch it once, and chances are you’ll watch it again and again in drop-jawed amazement. My favorite comments on this beloved disaster are: “It’s an anti-masterpiece!” and “No matter when you watch ‘Plan 9’ it’s always two o’clock in the morning.” I wish I could remember who made these telling observations so I could give them the credit they deserve.

Many myths and misconceptions have grown up around this film. For instance, Bela Lugosi didn’t die during filming. He passed away before production started. The three brief clips of Lugosi in this movie actually were meant for an entirely different project. And, the flying saucers weren’t pie plates or hubcaps. They were toys, actually models that came in kit form. If you happen to have one of them, it’s probably worth a bloody fortune. If you would like to know more, there are three informative and highly entertaining documentaries on the film and Ed Woods’s life: “The Plan 9 Companion,” “Look Back in Angora: the Ed Wood Story” and "The Haunted Life of Ed Wood Jr." They are almost as much fun as the movie itself. "The Haunted Life of Ed Wood Jr." is currently (2/15/10) available for free streaming at U-tube.

CAST NOTE: The immortal lines, "You see! You see! Your stupid minds! You're Stupid! Stupid!" and "All you of Earth are idiots!" were uttered by Dudley Manlove (Eros) who also had a featured role in "Creation of the Humanoids."

The flying saucers look like hubcaps on strings (you can sometimes even see the string). They mix night and day scenes without explanation (you have to just ignore it). Lugosi (starring here as "the dead old man") is not really in this movie but they use footage from some other movie that he was actually in, and a double (who is just awful). And all the men-aliens are like Jack Benny clones. The main squeeze is like Alice Kramden. The acting is abysmal, with lines such as, "How could any race be so stupid?" or "I'll bet that apparition we saw had something to do with it" or "You fiend! I? a fiend?" or "But something started stinking awful bad." Flubbed lines and incongruous details and ponpous philosophical oratory. It goes on and on like this, and you start to understand what happened to the first 8-Plans from Outer Space. I personally enjoyed this movie (mostly). But this movie is not for everyone, but for the fan who likes So-Bad-It's-Hilarious. Otherwise,
you'll just think it's stupid.

Reviewer:Wickson
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January 23, 2010 Subject:
So it is in public domain

After hearing about this movie and it's cult following I finally saw it. I cracked up all the way through. It is soooooooo unbelievably bad it's like a traffic accident...you don't want to look but... I give it 5 stars for being the best worse movie ever!